The Green Bay Packers decided to take a chance on Johnny Jolly after he battled
Johnny Jolly
drug addiction, spent time in jail and served a three-year suspension handed down by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. It appears that the gamble is about to pay off for the Packers.
He has made steady progress and is beginning to look like the Johnny Jolly of 2009, which is the last year that he played for the Packers before running into trouble with the law.
Saturday night, Jolly got his hand on a pass that was picked off by Jarrett Bush, then he dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass that was deflected by defensive back Loyce Means.
AUDIO: Jolly on his interception :07
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy says Jolly took a big step :11
While Jolly has put himself in the mix for a roster spot, he hasn’t sealed the deal. Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji and rookie first-round pick Datone Jones are the three locks to make the 53-man roster. Mike Daniels and C.J. Wilson would appear to have spots as well, leaving Jolly to compete for 1 or 2 more spots with rookie fifth-round pick Josh Boyd and former practice squad player Jordan Miller. It’s also not certain if the Packers will count Mike Neal with the defensive lineman, or outside linebackers.
Jolly has plenty of support on the team as well. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers says everyone is pulling for him and Jolly is headed in the right direction.